Things That went Right Today:
1) Daughter finished the last of the year's homeschool work...now finals
2) son graduating from high school on the 21st
3) missionary son arrived safely in New York City
In the process of trying to get our home sold we've ended up having to do some remodeling. We had a lot of dated ugly linoleum flooring that no one seemed to want...shocker!!! So this past week the house was all torn up as they removed the old stained flooring and put in pretty new tile in the kitchen and two bathrooms. It was messy, loud and inconvenient. Nothing was in it's place. Kitchen appliances were in the family room. A layer of dust was everywhere. Keeping the little kids out of the workers' way was challenging. It was not too fun going through it. But wow what a difference now that they are done. It looks like a whole new house. We wish we had done it when we first moved in and feel it was well worth the trouble to have such a fantastic result. I hope it helps us get this house sold!
Life is a lot like remodeling. Sometimes we have tough times and challenges that tear through our world. Make us stressed. It gets messy and loud and inconvenient at times. And we don't love going through those experiences. But almost always once we get to the other side of them we can see some measure of benefit. The hard work of school leads to a diploma. Sweat and soreness lead to weight loss and fitness. Heartbreak and pain can make us stronger more compassionate people. Life will tear all of us up sometimes. There is no escaping it. It's just the nature of living. It is up to us how we respond. We can allow ourselves to stay broken or stuck in trials or we can bend and work through them. Use them for our good. Like the bionic man our characters can be rebuilt stronger and faster than before.
I'm grateful for our beautiful new tile floors. And for the challenges of life and the new and improved person they help me to become.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
LOST
Things that went right today:
1) Gorgeous sun shining today
2) Lab tests back on Jake's tick...no lymes!
3) getting new tile to replace the linoleum in the main floor bath
Our family really enjoyed the TV show LOST. Ok who am I kidding here? We were obsessed. Every Tuesday night we gathered around together to revel in the latest drama on the mysterious island. We laughed and cried last week when the saga came to an end with the series finale. So in tribute to all the fun we had, today I will ask this question...if you knew in advance you were going to be stranded on a deserted island for the rest of your days, what five things would you choose to take with you? At first glance it's kind of a flippant question. I mean that would never really happen right? But I think in pondering the answer you can reveal a lot to yourself about what you value most. When it comes right down to it, what things you are most grateful for. Here's what I would choose to take:
1) Family Photo Album: I would rather have my family with me of course, but would hate to doom them even in theory to life on the island forever. But they are my greatest joys. I would not want the memory of their faces to fade. Would open the pages and relive our good times together when I felt lonely. Their love would be my strength no matter where I was in the world or in what circumstance.
2) Hand Weights: Fitness is very important to me. I would not want to lose my physical strength, but also workouts make me feel confident and happy. Gotta love endorphins. And I'd want to be sure if ever rescued that I still looked hot right?
3) Scriptures: I know I could always turn to God in prayer in my darkest hours, but to have his word with me would fill up my soul. Keep me full of faith and hope.
4) Rubiks cube: Life would get really boring sometimes I'm sure, so I would need entertainment and activity to keep my mind sharp. Plus I know that being stranded for years with absolutely nothing else to do is the only way in this lifetime I would have a chance of solving the crazy thing.
5) Gigantic chocolate bar: No explanation needed here.
There are many things I would miss, but at the core what am I grateful for? Family, Fitness, Faith, Fun and yes...chocolate. If I could have those things with me in some measure, the island could still be a joyful place in spite of it's challenges. So what's on your list? And can someone please tell me what the heck we're supposed to do on Tuesday nights now?
1) Gorgeous sun shining today
2) Lab tests back on Jake's tick...no lymes!
3) getting new tile to replace the linoleum in the main floor bath
Our family really enjoyed the TV show LOST. Ok who am I kidding here? We were obsessed. Every Tuesday night we gathered around together to revel in the latest drama on the mysterious island. We laughed and cried last week when the saga came to an end with the series finale. So in tribute to all the fun we had, today I will ask this question...if you knew in advance you were going to be stranded on a deserted island for the rest of your days, what five things would you choose to take with you? At first glance it's kind of a flippant question. I mean that would never really happen right? But I think in pondering the answer you can reveal a lot to yourself about what you value most. When it comes right down to it, what things you are most grateful for. Here's what I would choose to take:
1) Family Photo Album: I would rather have my family with me of course, but would hate to doom them even in theory to life on the island forever. But they are my greatest joys. I would not want the memory of their faces to fade. Would open the pages and relive our good times together when I felt lonely. Their love would be my strength no matter where I was in the world or in what circumstance.
2) Hand Weights: Fitness is very important to me. I would not want to lose my physical strength, but also workouts make me feel confident and happy. Gotta love endorphins. And I'd want to be sure if ever rescued that I still looked hot right?
3) Scriptures: I know I could always turn to God in prayer in my darkest hours, but to have his word with me would fill up my soul. Keep me full of faith and hope.
4) Rubiks cube: Life would get really boring sometimes I'm sure, so I would need entertainment and activity to keep my mind sharp. Plus I know that being stranded for years with absolutely nothing else to do is the only way in this lifetime I would have a chance of solving the crazy thing.
5) Gigantic chocolate bar: No explanation needed here.
There are many things I would miss, but at the core what am I grateful for? Family, Fitness, Faith, Fun and yes...chocolate. If I could have those things with me in some measure, the island could still be a joyful place in spite of it's challenges. So what's on your list? And can someone please tell me what the heck we're supposed to do on Tuesday nights now?
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Big hair
Things that went right today:
1) Lilies have all opened now on my kitchen bouquet
2) Swim team awards banquet tonight
3) Friend made me brownies yesterday
I was in a bit of a mood this morning. Possibly because of the mid life crisis I am having (yes I am finally copping to it). As I looked in the mirror I decided I missed the days of big hair. Seriously. Why did that look go out anyway? It was flattering to most faces and so very girly and feminine. Ok I know it took forever to style and required obscene amounts of hairspray, but at least your "do" stayed intact in a windstorm right? On an impulse I pulled out my old set of hot rollers. It took awhile to free it from the back of the cabinet where it had been buried for so long, but I prevailed and fired it up with a smile. I admit I was a little rusty putting in the rollers. I kept stabbing myself in the head with the holders and burned my ears a few times, but was undaunted in my quest to return to the look of my youth. After removing the rollers and brushing it out though things unfortunately did not go as well as I had hoped. The curls were bouncing all over the place and refused to be contained. I looked more like a circus clown than the sexy young thing I had been envisioning. Or a smidge like a 1970's Clairol commercial. The giggles overtook me as I tried to figure out how to salvage the situation before I had to go out in public. It wasn't easy. It involved lots and lots and lots of brushing it straighter, and ultimately a claw clip to pull it back and hide the damage. What had gone wrong anyway? I fixed my hair that way for years. Why didn't it work like it used to? Did the big hair thing just not work as well on a 41 year old woman? Or was I just out of practice and put the rollers in wrong? Had I just become so accustomed to smaller sleeker hair that my brain could no longer accept the massive bonnet effect I had going on? Not sure. Perhaps it is just a natural fact in the universe that you can never really go back, and those days have passed me by forever? Sigh. Maybe I will give it another try tomorrow. I swear I saw huge hair in a magazine the other day so it could be making a replay and I would love to stay ahead of the curve instead of a decade behind like usual. Today I am thankful for the memories of big hair and the younger version of me who proudly wore it. I am also thankful for the simple 5 minute prep style I sport currently. Because honestly who has time for big hair anymore anyway? I guess I am still going to keep practicing in secret though - just in case.
1) Lilies have all opened now on my kitchen bouquet
2) Swim team awards banquet tonight
3) Friend made me brownies yesterday
I was in a bit of a mood this morning. Possibly because of the mid life crisis I am having (yes I am finally copping to it). As I looked in the mirror I decided I missed the days of big hair. Seriously. Why did that look go out anyway? It was flattering to most faces and so very girly and feminine. Ok I know it took forever to style and required obscene amounts of hairspray, but at least your "do" stayed intact in a windstorm right? On an impulse I pulled out my old set of hot rollers. It took awhile to free it from the back of the cabinet where it had been buried for so long, but I prevailed and fired it up with a smile. I admit I was a little rusty putting in the rollers. I kept stabbing myself in the head with the holders and burned my ears a few times, but was undaunted in my quest to return to the look of my youth. After removing the rollers and brushing it out though things unfortunately did not go as well as I had hoped. The curls were bouncing all over the place and refused to be contained. I looked more like a circus clown than the sexy young thing I had been envisioning. Or a smidge like a 1970's Clairol commercial. The giggles overtook me as I tried to figure out how to salvage the situation before I had to go out in public. It wasn't easy. It involved lots and lots and lots of brushing it straighter, and ultimately a claw clip to pull it back and hide the damage. What had gone wrong anyway? I fixed my hair that way for years. Why didn't it work like it used to? Did the big hair thing just not work as well on a 41 year old woman? Or was I just out of practice and put the rollers in wrong? Had I just become so accustomed to smaller sleeker hair that my brain could no longer accept the massive bonnet effect I had going on? Not sure. Perhaps it is just a natural fact in the universe that you can never really go back, and those days have passed me by forever? Sigh. Maybe I will give it another try tomorrow. I swear I saw huge hair in a magazine the other day so it could be making a replay and I would love to stay ahead of the curve instead of a decade behind like usual. Today I am thankful for the memories of big hair and the younger version of me who proudly wore it. I am also thankful for the simple 5 minute prep style I sport currently. Because honestly who has time for big hair anymore anyway? I guess I am still going to keep practicing in secret though - just in case.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Bucket list
Things that went right today:
1) Schools are back open and on time!
2) Friend coming to visit this morning.
3) Sweethearts candies.
I have been pondering a lot lately on life and death. Maybe it's because we've had three family members hospitalized recently? Several friend's have suffered losses this year and I have grieved with them so perhaps that is the reason? Could be that this is simply what a mid-life crisis feels like (gasp!)? Not sure, but in any case the reality of my own mortality has been on my mind as of late. Not in a depressing way. I'm not obsessing or anything. But more in an inspirational way. Recognizing the beauty and wonder of the life I have to live here. Realizing that I do not know when my end will come, and that there are so many amazing things to experience that I don't want to miss out on. I would hate to put them off until later only to find out that there is no later after all. I loved the movie "Last Holiday" where Queen Latifah's character thinks she is dying so she stops being conservative and does all of the adventurous things she had always dreamed of. What did she have to lose right? In the process she discovered what real living was truly about. Or the movie "The Bucket List" that had a similar theme, but with elderly men who decided it was never to late to get out and live life to the fullest. Isn't that what we were put here to do? As far as I am aware we only have one chance at life here on earth. It is up to us to decide how to direct our days. Which experiences are most valuable to us personally. What opportunities we will regret if we let them pass us by. So I sat down today and wrote down on paper my own personal "Bucket List" (things I want to do before I kick the bucket).
1) Visit every continent
2) Visit every state including all of the Hawaiian islands
3) Learn to play the piano
4) Earn a black belt in karate
5) Run a marathon
6) Write a book
7) Earn my medallion
8) Take every child on a graduation trip
9) See all of my church temples
10) Read every word of the scriptures
11) Complete the family scrapbooks
12) Serve as a missionary
13) Place flowers on my grandparents graves in Canada
14) See a play on Broadway
15) Fit into a size 6 again
I fully expect this list to evolve over time. Some I will accomplish. Some I will decide were not that important to me after all. Some will be replaced by new goals I learn about. Others will be most meaningful in the attempt rather than the fulfillment. I have had other dreams that are not listed, because I have already crossed them off. They made me who I am today. And I have a few other personal goals that are not in print here, but rather embedded in my heart. I am excited to tackle these next plans in this new phase of life I am entering now. There are many adventures contained above. Successes and laughter and hard work and loving service. Self discovery. It infuses me with energy just seeing the list in front of me. Life is so good and exciting and vibrant if we jump in with both feet and choose to really live. I am thankful today for my time here on this earth. I want to make as much of it as I can for as long as I am privileged to be here. This is my list. Everyone's will be different. Take a minute and write down your bucket list today. You'll be glad you did.
1) Schools are back open and on time!
2) Friend coming to visit this morning.
3) Sweethearts candies.
I have been pondering a lot lately on life and death. Maybe it's because we've had three family members hospitalized recently? Several friend's have suffered losses this year and I have grieved with them so perhaps that is the reason? Could be that this is simply what a mid-life crisis feels like (gasp!)? Not sure, but in any case the reality of my own mortality has been on my mind as of late. Not in a depressing way. I'm not obsessing or anything. But more in an inspirational way. Recognizing the beauty and wonder of the life I have to live here. Realizing that I do not know when my end will come, and that there are so many amazing things to experience that I don't want to miss out on. I would hate to put them off until later only to find out that there is no later after all. I loved the movie "Last Holiday" where Queen Latifah's character thinks she is dying so she stops being conservative and does all of the adventurous things she had always dreamed of. What did she have to lose right? In the process she discovered what real living was truly about. Or the movie "The Bucket List" that had a similar theme, but with elderly men who decided it was never to late to get out and live life to the fullest. Isn't that what we were put here to do? As far as I am aware we only have one chance at life here on earth. It is up to us to decide how to direct our days. Which experiences are most valuable to us personally. What opportunities we will regret if we let them pass us by. So I sat down today and wrote down on paper my own personal "Bucket List" (things I want to do before I kick the bucket).
1) Visit every continent
2) Visit every state including all of the Hawaiian islands
3) Learn to play the piano
4) Earn a black belt in karate
5) Run a marathon
6) Write a book
7) Earn my medallion
8) Take every child on a graduation trip
9) See all of my church temples
10) Read every word of the scriptures
11) Complete the family scrapbooks
12) Serve as a missionary
13) Place flowers on my grandparents graves in Canada
14) See a play on Broadway
15) Fit into a size 6 again
I fully expect this list to evolve over time. Some I will accomplish. Some I will decide were not that important to me after all. Some will be replaced by new goals I learn about. Others will be most meaningful in the attempt rather than the fulfillment. I have had other dreams that are not listed, because I have already crossed them off. They made me who I am today. And I have a few other personal goals that are not in print here, but rather embedded in my heart. I am excited to tackle these next plans in this new phase of life I am entering now. There are many adventures contained above. Successes and laughter and hard work and loving service. Self discovery. It infuses me with energy just seeing the list in front of me. Life is so good and exciting and vibrant if we jump in with both feet and choose to really live. I am thankful today for my time here on this earth. I want to make as much of it as I can for as long as I am privileged to be here. This is my list. Everyone's will be different. Take a minute and write down your bucket list today. You'll be glad you did.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Olympics
Things that went right today:
1) In the 40's today. The big thaw begins.
2) Daughter got her learner's permit.
3) Son's relay team earned a medal at the state high school swim meet.
This week the Winter Olympics are on. We've enjoyed gathering together as a family to witness incredible feats of skill and contests of will. I had the privilege as a teenager to attend a few Olympic events when the games were held in Los Angeles. I will never forget the thrill and electric energy in the room when the USA won an event. The roar of the crowd was deafening and it was nearly impossible not to get caught up in the moment and feel proud to be an American. Most of us do not personally know these athletes, but yet we feel a connection to them somehow. What is it about the games that so inspires us?
Perhaps it is the chance to live vicariously. Many of these sports are beyond our personal limits either physically, geographically, or financially. Most of us in truth lead rather ordinary lives. We have neither the time nor the inclination to go to the extreme lengths required to become the absolute top achievers in the events of our lives. The courage and sacrifice these athletes demonstrate to reach such levels is hard to understand really. What drives them to put off school or marriage? To deny themselves social lives. To spend so much money and often move away from parents and friends? To push their bodies to the limits. To suffer injuries and pain and demoralizing defeat sometimes. And then pick themselves up and go back for more. I'm not sure what motivates certain people to reach so high while the rest of us are content with average. But I am so glad they do. Because when I watch them beat the odds, overcome the obstacles, and make their dreams come true it brings me joy! It gives me a little borrowed courage to maybe try something that feels impossible for me currently. If they can do it maybe I can too right? It reminds me of how powerful the human spirit can truly be. That when we have faith and match that with hard work amazing things can happen. As the gold medal is placed around another woman's neck I dig in to find the will to take a baby step of my own. My future marathon may begin today with a tentative run around the block. As the tears roll down that young man's face when he receives the reward for all of his years of effort, I sense the importance of the little things I do each day that are building toward larger goals. And I discover the strength inside to press onward too. These athletes remind us that greatness really can be attained. They open a window to the best of ourselves and encourage us to let it shine. Even in their defeat they display grace and determination and good sportsmanship. Often these losses reveal to us their hearts and their characters and teach us the greatest lessons of all. It is not just about winning so much as about testing the boundaries of human potential and the love of the sport. Oh that we could all live each day with that much passion. I am thankful today for these amazing athletes and the gifts they give to the world. The gifts of example, national pride and the fun of the game.
1) In the 40's today. The big thaw begins.
2) Daughter got her learner's permit.
3) Son's relay team earned a medal at the state high school swim meet.
This week the Winter Olympics are on. We've enjoyed gathering together as a family to witness incredible feats of skill and contests of will. I had the privilege as a teenager to attend a few Olympic events when the games were held in Los Angeles. I will never forget the thrill and electric energy in the room when the USA won an event. The roar of the crowd was deafening and it was nearly impossible not to get caught up in the moment and feel proud to be an American. Most of us do not personally know these athletes, but yet we feel a connection to them somehow. What is it about the games that so inspires us?
Perhaps it is the chance to live vicariously. Many of these sports are beyond our personal limits either physically, geographically, or financially. Most of us in truth lead rather ordinary lives. We have neither the time nor the inclination to go to the extreme lengths required to become the absolute top achievers in the events of our lives. The courage and sacrifice these athletes demonstrate to reach such levels is hard to understand really. What drives them to put off school or marriage? To deny themselves social lives. To spend so much money and often move away from parents and friends? To push their bodies to the limits. To suffer injuries and pain and demoralizing defeat sometimes. And then pick themselves up and go back for more. I'm not sure what motivates certain people to reach so high while the rest of us are content with average. But I am so glad they do. Because when I watch them beat the odds, overcome the obstacles, and make their dreams come true it brings me joy! It gives me a little borrowed courage to maybe try something that feels impossible for me currently. If they can do it maybe I can too right? It reminds me of how powerful the human spirit can truly be. That when we have faith and match that with hard work amazing things can happen. As the gold medal is placed around another woman's neck I dig in to find the will to take a baby step of my own. My future marathon may begin today with a tentative run around the block. As the tears roll down that young man's face when he receives the reward for all of his years of effort, I sense the importance of the little things I do each day that are building toward larger goals. And I discover the strength inside to press onward too. These athletes remind us that greatness really can be attained. They open a window to the best of ourselves and encourage us to let it shine. Even in their defeat they display grace and determination and good sportsmanship. Often these losses reveal to us their hearts and their characters and teach us the greatest lessons of all. It is not just about winning so much as about testing the boundaries of human potential and the love of the sport. Oh that we could all live each day with that much passion. I am thankful today for these amazing athletes and the gifts they give to the world. The gifts of example, national pride and the fun of the game.
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